COURSE DESCRIPTION ~ We're certified!
The Running From an Angel Marathon, 1/2, 10K, 5K, and 50 mile ultra is run completely inside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Contrary to the Running with the Devil races which challenge athletes to contend with extreme Mohave Desert heat in the middle of summer, in the middle of the day with average temperatures reaching up to 110 degrees with low humidity and little cloud cover, the Running with an Angel races enjoy perfect winter desert temperatures. The course covers continual rolling terrain overlooking the crystal blue waters of Lake Mead.
The course is an out and back on the very scenic Lakeshore and Northshore Drives, and is run completely on pavement. Aid stations will be well stocked along the course. (see "Aid Stations")
All races start and finish at the Boulder Beach Special Events Beach, which has ample parking. The course is continual rolling hills with some long (about a mile) gradual ascents and decents ranging from 1-8% in grade. Some shorter rollers may be a bit more steep. See the race specific mileage descriptions below.
** Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a "fee" area. Vehicles entering the park are subject to a $5 entry fee or display of a National Parks Annual Pass (ID must match the Pass!). This entry fee is not included in the race entry fee. Carpool to save money.
*** Since the park is federal lands for the public, the roads must remain open. Signs will be posted warning motorists that runners are on the road, but you must stay on the lakeside shoulder of the road at all times. Please request that your spectators keep their driving along course to a minimum for the benefit and safety of all runners.
ELEVATION PROFILE- 50 MILER- total ascent 4277/ net zero
CERTIFIED MARATHON MAP AND PROFILE- total ascent 2839/ net zero
ELEVATION PROFILE- 1/2 MARATHON
CERTIFIED HALF MARATHON MAP AND PROFILE- total ascent 911/ net zero
CERTIFIED 10K MAP AND PROFILE- total ascent 337/ net zero
CERTIFIED 5K MAP AND PROFILE- total ascent 186/ net zero
1/2 MARATHON COURSE ** 8:30am START TIME: USATF Certificate # NV08007DCR
Departing the Boulder Beach start line there is a gradual climb of about a 1/4 mile until you turn right onto Lakeshore Drive. The next 3.5 miles are a series of rollers and flat-ish sections. Then comes a series of 1 mile long stretches of downhill, uphill, downhill repectively taking you to your course turn around. There you will reverse the stretches of 1 mile sections going uphill, downhill, uphill. Mile 9.5- roughly 12.9 is a series of rollers again leading you to a strong downhill finish the last 1/4 mile. ** This course has a 7 hour cut-off.
MARATHON COURSE ** 8am START TIME: USATF Certificate # NV08008DCR
Departing the Boulder Beach start line there is a gradual climb of about a 1/4 mile until you turn right onto Lakeshore Drive. The next 3.5 miles are a series of rollers and flat-ish sections. Then a series of 1 mile long stretches of downhill, uphill, downhill repectively taking you to the 1/2 marathon course turn around- keep going straight! You'll continue with another 1 mile downhill. Then miles 7.7 to mile 10 are a series of rollers with a slight net gain. At mile 10 take a right onto Northshore Drive. A 1 mile downhill preceeds a series of rollers which lead you to your course turn around. Heading back you'll cover rollers for about 2 miles, climb 1 mile back to Lakeshore Drive (you are now at mile 16.2) Roughly 2 miles of rollers with a net loss leads you to a 1 mile climb. Now you again start the stretches of 1 mile sections going uphill, downhill, uphill. Mile 22.5- roughly 26 is a series of rollers again leading you to a strong downhill finish the last 1/4 mile. ** This course has an 8 hour cut-off.
50 MILE ULTRA **6am START TIME
Departing the Boulder Beach start line there is a gradual climb of about a 1/4 mile until you turn right onto Lakeshore Drive. The next 3.5 miles are a series of rollers and flat-ish sections. Then a series of 1 mile long stretches of downhill, uphill, downhill repectively taking you to the 1/2 marathon course turn around- keep going straight! You'll continue with another 1 mile downhill. Then miles 7.7 to mile 10 are a series of rollers with a slight net gain. At mile 10 take a right onto Northshore Drive. A 1 mile downhill preceeds a series of rollers which lead you to the marathon turn around- keep going straight! The next 11.9 miles to the turn around are a series of rollers and "flat" sections. The turn around is at mile 25 (duh), though ironically denoted by a highway milepost 15 
Be sure to give your bib number to the "clipboard volunteer", turn around and come on back. You have a series of rollers and "flat" for 14 miles until a 1 mile climb takes you back to a left hand turn back onto Lakeshore Drive (you are now at mile 40) Roughly 2 miles of rollers with a net loss leads you to a 1 mile climb. Now you again start the stretches of 1 mile sections going uphill, downhill, uphill. Mile 46.5- roughly 48.8 is a series of rollers again leading you to a strong downhill finish the last 1/4 mile. ** This course has a 13 hour cut-off.
5K COURSE ** 8:45am START TIME: USATF Certificate # NV08005DCR
Departing the Boulder Beach start line there is a gradual climb of about a 1/4 mile until you turn right onto Lakeshore Drive. You will cover rolling terrain for 1.55 miles, turn around and return to Boulder Beach with the last 1/4 mile descending to the finish line for a strong finish.
10K COURSE ** 8:50am START TIME: USATF Certificate # NV08006DCR
Departing the Boulder Beach start line there is a gradual climb of about a 1/4 mile until you turn right onto Lakeshore Drive. You will cover rolling terrain for 3.1 miles, turn around and return to Boulder Beach with the last 1/4 mile descending to the finish line for a strong finish.